The significance of water budget in June and July for forest and peatland vegetation, and consequent effects on fauna, climate and agriculture has been studied.
In June, the difference between evaporation and precipitation is greater than it is later in the summer. North of the line zero difference of evaporation and precipitation, coinciding with a line of sharp change in forest vegetation, the uppermost part of podsol remains wet throughout the summer. During July, the line of zero difference moves from north to south over the greater part of Finland, run-off being minute and podsol at the driest in this month. This line, indicating the length of the period with evaporation greater than precipitation and causing a sharp change in forest vegetation, in frequency of peatlands, amount of growing stock productive capacity of forests etc. This line is significant also for cultivation: because of the lower evaporation north of this line, night temperature below the freezing point often appear in summer.
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Ground vegetation can be used to determine the fertility of the peatlands. This information is needed when deciding if a peatland is suitable for drainage. The spruce and pine swamp types of Finland have been well established. The aim of the study was to develop further the peatland type classification for treeless bogs in Finland, presented in earlier studies. The treeless bogs consist of diversity of small patches of different vegetation that blend into complexes. Consequently, classification that is based on defining bog complexes makes it easier to determine a peatland type for a larger peatland area. A system describing peatland complexes for treeless bogs is presented with detailed description of the vegetation. The study identifies nine different peatland complex types for treeless bogs.
The PDF includes a summary in German.